Load carrier for securing bicycle fork assemblies

ABSTRACT

A bicycle fork mount for receiving and securing a front axle hub assembly of a through-axle type front bicycle wheel, but which is also temporarily adaptable for receiving a fork of a skewer type front bicycle wheel includes a fork mount body having a hollow for insertably receiving a front axle hub assembly of a through-axle front bicycle wheel. An adapter is received in the hollow and has a fork receiving skewer associated therewith that is configured for translational movement relative to the adapter. A biasing assembly is disposed between the adapter and the skewer and urges the skewer toward an ends-extended configuration in which a pair of fork receiving ends of the skewer are oppositely disposed beyond the lateral sides of the fork mount body and are configured for receiving and releasably securing the fork of a bicycle having a skewer type front wheel to the bicycle fork mount.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/677,271, filed on Feb. 21, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,757,914 which isa continuation of international patent application No. PCT/US2006/031992filed on Aug. 15, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 60/595,893, filed on Aug. 15, 2005. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/677,271, international application No.PCT/US06/31992, and U.S. provisional application No. 60/595,893 are eachexpressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present invention relates to vehicle load carriers and quick releasemechanisms therefor, and more particularly, to load carriers comprisingquick release fork mount assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Quick release fork mount assemblies for securing bicycles to loadcarriers and rack assemblies are known. Examples of quick release forkmount assemblies include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,758,380, 5,875,947, 5,362,173and 5,511,894, which patents are expressly incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

A common feature of the above known quick release fork mount assembliesis that they are all configured for securing “conventional” forkassemblies; that is, for securing those types of bicycle forks that havea pair of prong ends, each of which has a generally U-shaped or C-shapedslot disposed at a terminal end thereof. Typically, thus, to secure afront wheel to a conventional fork, the opposite ends of a wheel axleare slid into the slots of the prongs and secured thereto by means ofthreaded nuts or a clamping quick release mechanism. Similarly, tosecure a conventional fork upon a quick release fork mount assembly, theslots of the forks are first aligned and slid upon opposite ends of askewer and a force is then asserted upon the prongs of the fork by meansof a clamping mechanism. The force asserted upon the prongs to securethe forks to the fork mount body is typically an inwardly directedforce, however, outwardly directed forces can also be utilized.

While the above-identified quick release fork mount assemblies aregenerally satisfactory for slidably receiving and securing mostconventional forks, a problem with quick release fork mount assembliesfor securing conventional forks is that they are specifically configuredfor securing conventional forks and cannot secure many types of mountainand off-road type bicycles. The reason for this is that many mountainand off-road bicycles comprise “through-axle” type wheels and“through-axle” forks whose prongs do not have the U-shaped and C-shapedslotted ends of conventional forks. Rather, the terminal ends of theprongs of through-axle type forks comprise closed apertures, whichreceive wheel axles, wheel hub members, or hollow cylinderstherethrough. Consequently, quick release fork mount assemblies designedfor securing conventional forks are generally incapable of securingthrough-axle type forks directly thereto.

One attempt to address the above problem has been to use an adapter thatallows a through-axle fork to be secured to a quick release fork mountassembly configured to secure a conventional fork. An example of such anadapter is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,069 (the '069 patent). Whilethe adapter disclosed in the '069 patent is capable for securingthrough-axle forks to most conventional quick release fork mountassemblies, it can be difficult and time consuming to use the adaptersand/or the adapters may not stably secure the bicycle upon the rack/loadcarrier. Indeed, to secure a bicycle using such adapters, the frontbicycle wheel must first be removed from the through-axle fork, theadapter must then be secured to the through-axle fork using a pair ofthreaded nuts, which requires the use of a wrench, the combined fork andadapter assembly must then be aligned and slid upon the skewer of theconventional quick release fork mount assembly, and the quick releasemechanism locked. Another problem is that because most conventionalquick release fork mount assemblies utilize single skewers that areloosely held within the fork mount body, or housing, it can be difficultto align the prongs of the adapter with the prong receiving portions ofthe skewer. This can be particularly difficult when the fork mountassembly is elevated, i.e., installed upon the roof of a vehicle, orwhen a rather unwieldy bicycle is to be secured. For example, duringloading, the prongs of the adapter can strike an end of the skewer anddisplace it to one side of the fork mount housing. As a result, the endof the skewer (and prong receiving portion) struck by the prong canbecome hidden within the housing and an unduly long portion of theskewer can extend from the opposite side of the housing. In order toload the bicycle then, the user must re-center the skewer within thehousing. Typically, this is accomplished by setting the bicycle asideand then re-centering the skewer, or by attempting to support thebicycle with a single hand while re-centering the skewer with the otherhand. As can be appreciated, users experience tremendous frustrationwhen attempting to through axle-forks and adapters therefor onconventional fork mount assemblies.

Another problem with using adapters of the type described in the '069patent is that the fork mount coupled assembly-adapter-bicycle assemblyincreases the number of connection points between a bicycle and the forkmount assembly. Consequently, a bicycle secured in this manner isgenerally not as stably secured as a bicycle whose forks are connecteddirectly to the fork mount assembly. This can be problematic when atransporting vehicle must traverse rough terrain to arrive at a desiredcycling location. Additionally, increases in the number of connectionpoints between the bicycle and the fork mount assembly has a tendency toincrease the potential for user error, that is, to increase thepotential that a user may not correctly load the bicycle upon theadapter or the adapter upon the fork mount assembly. Furthermore,because the width between prongs and/or the width of single prongs canvary between forks, separate specifically sized adapters are typicallyrequired to secure each differently sized fork assembly. Also, when itis not in use, the '069 adapter can be easily misplaced, lost or stolen.

What is needed then is a quick release fork mount assembly that is easyto use and which is capable of stably securing a number of differentfork types upon a load carrier.

SUMMARY

In an effort to address the above-identified problems, the presentinvention broadly comprises (includes, but is not necessarily limitedto) a bicycle fork mount configured for receiving and securing athrough-axle fork thereon, i.e., a fork capable of securing a front axlehub assembly of a through-axle type front bicycle wheel, but which istemporarily adaptable for receiving a conventional fork thereon, i.e., afork capable of receiving a skewer type front bicycle wheel. A bicyclefork mount according to the invention includes, but is not limited to, afork mount body, or housing, having a hollow, or void, for insertablyreceiving a front axle hub assembly of a through-axle front bicyclewheel. An adapter is received in the hollow and has a fork receivingskewer associated therewith that is configured for translationalmovement relative to the adapter. A biasing assembly is disposed betweenthe adapter and the skewer to urge the skewer toward an ends-extendedconfiguration in which each of a pair of fork receiving ends of theskewer are oppositely disposed beyond lateral sides of the fork mountbody. The pair of fork receiving ends of the skewer is configured forreceiving and releasably securing the fork of a bicycle having a skewertype front wheel to the bicycle fork mount, i.e., a conventional fork.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the hollow is a substantiallycylindrically shaped channel extending through the fork mount body andbetween lateral sides thereof and the adapter has an exterior surfacewhich is predominantly cylindrically shaped, and which is configured forconformance fit within the hollow of the fork mount body. In someembodiments of the invention, the adapter has an interior trap-spacewithin which the biasing assembly is housed.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the biasingassembly abuttingly engages the adapter and the skewer. In someembodiments, a portion of the biasing assembly abutting the adapter isfixed relative to the fork mount body while a portion of the biasingassembly abutting the skewer translates relative to the fork mount bodyduring return to the ends-extended configuration of the skewer afterbeing displaced therefrom. In further embodiments of the invention, thebiasing assembly is a bi-directional spring mechanism capable of urgingtranslational movement of the skewer in either of two directionsrelative to the adapter and abuttingly engages an interior surface ofthe trap-space and an exterior surface of the skewer. In someembodiments, the biasing assembly comprises a coil spring in contactwith said adapter and said skewer. In other embodiments, the biasingassembly comprises a pair of springs, each in contact with the adapterand the skewer. In some embodiments, each of the pair of springs is acoil spring. In some embodiments, the biasing assembly comprises atleast two springs, each in contact with the adapter and the skewer andeach of the at least two springs is a coil spring.

In some embodiments of the invention, the skewer is provided with aninterference member against which the biasing assembly abuts. In someembodiments, the interference member forms a flange surface againstwhich the biasing assembly abuts and the flange surface projectssubstantially radially about a longitudinal axis of the skewer. In someembodiments, the radially oriented flange surface is formed by asnap-ring seated in a track provided on the skewer.

In some embodiments of the invention, each one of the pair of forkreceiving ends comprises a prong engaging wall and the biasing assemblyoppositely displaces each of the prong engaging walls away from theadapter.

In some embodiments of the invention, the bicycle fork mount includes aclamping assembly coupled to the skewer, which is configured to axiallydisplace the skewer between fork securing and fork releasing positions.In some aspects at least one of the prong engaging walls is displacedtoward the other when the clamping assembly is moved from the forkreleasing position to the fork securing position.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a bicycle fork mountconfigured for receiving and securing a through-axle fork, but which istemporarily adaptable for receiving a conventional fork, comprises afork mount body having a hollow configured to insertably receive a frontaxle hub assembly of a through-axle fork. An adapter is received in thehollow and has a fork receiving skewer associated therewith. The forkreceiving skewer is configured for translational movement relative tothe adapter. A biasing assembly is disposed between the adapter and theskewer and urges the skewer toward an ends-extended configuration inwhich the ends of a pair of fork receiving ends of the skewer areoppositely disposed beyond lateral sides of the fork mount body. Each ofthe pair of fork receiving ends is configured for receiving andreleasably securing a slotted prong of a conventional fork to thebicycle fork mount.

In other embodiments of the invention, a fork mount for releasablysecuring a through-axle fork, or alternatively, a conventional fork, ofa bicycle includes a fork mount body having a void for receiving an axlehub member of the through-axle fork, an adapter is receivable in thevoid and has a skewer associated therewith. The skewer has first andsecond prong engaging surfaces on opposite ends thereof and isconfigured for translational movement with respect to the adapter. Abiasing assembly is disposed between the adapter and the skewer andurges the skewer such that the first and second prong engaging surfacesare oppositely displaced away from the adapter. The skewer is configuredfor slidably receiving and releasably securing slotted prongs of theconventional fork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be more fully described, by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a transporting vehicle and a load carriercomprising a quick release fork mount assembly according to theinvention and a bicycle secured thereto;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a transporting vehicle and aload carrier comprising a quick release fork mount assembly according tothe invention and a bicycle secured thereto;

FIG. 3 a is a bottom plan view of a load carrier comprising a quickrelease fork mount assembly according to the invention secured to loadsupport bars of a rack assembly;

FIG. 3 b is a side plan view of a load carrier comprising a quickrelease fork mount assembly according to the invention secured to loadsupport bars of a rack assembly;

FIG. 3 c is a top plan view of a quick release fork mount assemblyaccording to the invention secured to load support bars of a rackassembly;

FIG. 4 a is a close-up perspective view of a quick release fork mountassembly according to the invention, with adapter(s) removed;

FIG. 4 b is a close-up perspective view of a quick release fork mountassembly according to the present invention receiving a through-axletype fork assembly;

FIG. 4 c is a close-up perspective view of a quick release fork mountassembly according to the present invention securing a through-axle typefork assembly;

FIG. 4 d is a close-up perspective view of a quick release fork mountassembly according to the present invention receiving a conventional,recessed type fork assembly;

FIG. 4 e is a close-up perspective view of a quick release fork mountassembly according to the present invention securing a conventional,recessed type fork assembly;

FIG. 5 a is a close-up perspective view of a right side of a quickrelease fork mount assembly according to the present invention with anadapter body for securing a conventional, clevised fork assemblythereto;

FIG. 5 b is a close-up perspective view of a left side of a quickrelease fork mount assembly according to the present invention with anadapter body for securing a conventional, clevised fork assemblythereto;

FIG. 6 a is a top plan view of a quick release fork mount according tothe present invention in an engaged, fork securing position;

FIG. 6 b is a bottom plan view of a quick release fork mount accordingto the present invention in a disengaged, fork releasing position;

FIG. 7 a is a perspective view of a skewer/adapter body/clampingassembly according to the invention wherein the clamping assembly is inan engaged, fork securing position;

FIG. 7 b is a front plan view of the skewer/adapter body/clampingassembly illustrating the clamping lever being pivoted toward thedisengaged, fork receiving position;

FIG. 7 c is a front plan view of the skewer/adapter body/clampingassembly of FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 8 a is a cross-sectional view of the skewer/adapter body/clampingassembly in an engaged, fork securing position, taken generally alongline 8 a-8 a of FIG. 7 c;

FIG. 8 b is a cross-sectional view of the skewer/adapter body/clampingassembly taken generally along line 8 b-8 b of FIG. 7 c;

FIG. 8 c is a cross-sectional view of the skewer/adapter body/clampingassembly in an engaged, fork securing position, taken generally alongline 8 a-8 a of FIG. 7 c, but illustrating the clamping assembly in adisengaged, fork receiving position;

FIG. 9 a is an exploded view of a skewer assembly according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 b is a partial exploded view of a skewer assembly according tothe present invention illustrating attachment of biasing members; and,

FIG. 9 c is a perspective view of a skewer assembly according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be more described and disclosed ingreater detail. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosedembodiments are merely exemplary of the invention and that the inventionmay be embodied in various and alternative forms. It should also beunderstood that the accompanying figures are not necessarily to scaleand some features may be exaggerated, or minimized, to show details ofparticular components. Therefore, specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting the scopeof the claims, but are merely provided as an example to teach one havingordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. It should alsobe appreciated that in the detailed description that follows, likereference numerals on different drawing views are intended to identifylike structural elements. It should also be appreciated that while thepresent invention is primarily described as a fork mount assemblyprimarily configured for securing bicycles upon roof mounted loadcarrier by means of their forks, the fork mount assembly is notnecessarily limited to securing bicycles and is not necessarily limitedto be utilized in association with roof mounted load carriers. Out theoutset, it should be appreciated that the term “through-axle”, as itrefers to forks and wheels, is intended to refer to those types of forkwherein the terminal ends of the fork prongs comprise closed, orclosable, apertures for receiving large diameter axles or cylinderstherethrough. Typically the axles or cylinders of through-axle forks are20 mm or greater in diameter and the wheels have hubs for receiving thelarge diameter axles or cylinders therein. In many cases, the axle orcylinder is slid through the apertures and hub of a wheel after thewheel has been positioned between each side of the fork. This contrastswith “conventional” or “standard” fork assemblies wherein the terminalends of the fork prongs comprise slotted or open ends, or devises, forslidably receiving a wheel thereon.

Referring now to the figures, FIGS. 1-2 broadly illustrates vehicle 10securing roof type rack assembly 12. Rack assembly 12 is illustrated assecuring load carrier 14 comprising fork mount 22 according to thepresent invention. Load carrier 14 according to the present invention isbroadly configured for securing bicycle 16 thereon by means of rearwheel 18 and fork assembly 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a-3 c, load carrier 14 according to the presentinvention broadly comprises fork mount 22, wheel tray 24, and rear wheelsecuring assembly 26. As discussed in more detail, infra, fork mount 22is configured for receiving and securing forks 20 thereon and is securedto rack assembly 12 by means of front mounting assembly 28. Frontmounting assembly 28 generally includes hoop member 30 and clampingmember 31. Hoop 30 has a fixed end 32 and a free end 34. Fixed end 32 isconnected to a first side of the fork mount housing and free end 34extends about load support bar 36 to connect with a T-bolt secured toclamping member. The T-bolt is disposed on a side of the load supportbar opposite the fixed end. Load support bars 36 can have a square,round or other cross sectional shape. The front mounting assembly,preferably, includes means for adjusting the tension applied upon thehoop such that the fork mount may be securely fastened to the loadsupport bar. Front mounting assembly 28 can include locking mechanism 38for locking the fork mount upon a load support bar. Plug 40 connectsfork mount 22 to wheel tray 24, which is configured for receiving rearwheel 18 of bicycle 16 therein. Wheel tray 24 is has a generallyU-shaped cross-section and secures to rack assembly 12 by means of wheeltray mounting assembly 42. Wheel tray mounting assembly 42 is similar tothe front mounting assembly in that it also comprises hoop member 30,which has a fixed end 32 and free end 34. Fixed end 32 of the hoopmember is connected to a first side of mounting plate 44 and the freeend extends about load support bar 36 to connect with a T-bolt of wheeltray mounting assembly 42, which is disposed on a side of the loadsupport bar opposite that of the fixed end 32. The wheel tray mountingassembly may also include means for adjusting the tension applied uponthe hoop such that the wheel tray may be securely fastened upon the loadbar. The wheel tray mounting assembly can also include a lockingmechanism for locking the assembly to the load support bars. Rear wheelsecuring assembly 26 is provided for securing rear wheel 18 of a bicycleupon the wheel tray and generally includes wheel strap 46, which issecured to the wheel tray by means of a T-shaped channel therein. Thewheel strap engages with a clamping assembly to clampingly secure therear wheel between the strap and the wheel tray.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 a-5 b, fork mount 22 is configured forreceiving and securing a plurality of fork types thereon, includingthrough-axle forks 48 and conventional/standard forks 50 that havedevises 52 at the ends of their prongs 54. Fork mount 22 broadlycomprises housing 56, which may also be referred to as body 56. Body 56has head portion 58 and neck portion 60. Head portion 58 secures thefork mount to the load support bars of a vehicle rack assembly and,thus, comprises front mounting assembly 28 as described, supra. Headportion 58 also comprises clamping member 31 and locking mechanism 38for locking the fork mount to a load support bar of the rack assembly.Head portion 58 includes hollow 62 for receiving axle member (notshown), through-axle adapter 66, or conventional fork adapter 68therethrough such that through-axle forks 48 or conventional forks 50may be secured to the fork mount. Neck portion 60 is generally providedfor securing the head portion to the wheel tray and comprises plug 40.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 a-4 e, hollow 62 is configuredto pass through the housing of the fork mount and comprises asubstantially cylindrical channel that extends between lateral sides 70,72 of the housing. The cylindrical channel is configured for substantialconformance fit with an axle member (not shown) of a through-axle fork,through-axle fork adapter 66 (See FIGS. 4 b-4 c) or a conventional forkadapter 68 (See FIG. 4 d-4 e). Hollow 62, preferably includes recess 74for receiving locking abutment 76 (See FIGS. 4 a, and 7 a-8 c) forpreventing rotational and lateral movement of a cylindrical memberdisposed therein. It should be appreciated by those having ordinaryskill in the art that while hollow 62 is illustrated as comprising acylindrical channel passing through the body of the fork mount, thehollow need not pass through the housing between lateral sides thereof,or necessarily comprise a cylindrical channel. Indeed, hollow 62 can bedisposed on an outer surface of the fork mount housing, can beconfigured to comprise a pair of apertures disposed on lateral sides ofa substantially hollow housing, or be configured to comprise one or moreprong-type or sleeve members for slidably receiving portions of an axlemember, a through-axle fork adapter, or conventional fork adaptertherein.

As illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 4 b and 4 c, while it may bepossible to secure through-axle fork 48 to fork mount 22 by insertingand axle member thereof through hollow 62, it is preferable to securethrough-axle fork 48 to the fork mount utilizing through-axle forkadapter 66. The reason for this is that the axle-member of the fork orwheel may not include means for preventing lateral or rotationalmovement of the assembly within the hollow. As a result, the forksconnected to thereto can be rotationally or laterally displaced duringtransport. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 b-4 c and 7 a-8 c, through-axlefork adapter 66 and conventional fork adapter 68, thus, each includelocking abutment 76 configured for receipt within recess 74 of hollow62. Locking abutment 76 may be locked within the hollow by means of abiased pin member (not shown) such that rotational and lateral movementof the adapters, and forks connected thereto, may be prevented. Itshould also be appreciated that while locking abutment 76, recess 74 andbiased pin members are described herein for preventing rotational andlateral movement of the adapters with in the hollow, other appropriateassemblies may be utilized to achieve similar results. For example,biased ball lock mechanisms can be utilized.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 d-9 c, conventional fork adapter 68 is providedfor securing conventional forks 50 to fork mount 22 and is illustratedas broadly comprising adapter body 78, skewer 80, biasing assembly 82and quick release clamping assembly 84.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 a-9 c, adapter body 78 is generally in theform of a cylinder and has outer surface 86 configured for substantialconformance fit within hollow 62. By conformance fit it is meant thatthere is little to no radial movement between adapter body 78 and thehollow 62 when the adapter body is inserted therein. Adapter body 78further comprises skewer channel 88, which is longitudinally disposedalong the length of the adapter body and, preferably, along thelongitudinal axis of the adapter body. In the embodiment illustrated,the skewer channel is generally cylindrical for receiving a generallycylindrical skewer therein and allowing translational movement of theskewer with respect to the adapter body. It should be appreciated thatwhile skewer channel 88 is described and illustrated as beingsubstantially cylindrical, the skewer channel comprises flat portion 90for receiving corresponding flat portion 92 of the skewer such thatrotation of the skewer with respect to the adapter body is prevented. Aspreviously discussed, adapter body 78 also includes locking abutment 76,which protrudes from its outer surface for receipt within recess 74 ofhollow 62. Locking abutment 76 is provided for preventing rotational andlateral movement of the adapter body within the hollow. Disposed atopposite outer terminal ends 94, 96 of the adapter body are prongengaging walls 98, 100, which extend perpendicularly with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the adapter body. Prong engaging walls 98, 100 areconfigured for engaging the inner surfaces of the prongs of conventionalforks 50 and can comprise knurling or other friction-type surface. Asillustrated more clearly in FIGS. 8 a-8 c, prong engaging wall 98comprises an outer surface of barrel nut 102, which threadably securesto the adapter body and is displaceable along the longitudinal axisthereof. While barrel nut 102 may be utilized to axially dispose prongengaging surface 98 such that the length of the adapter body may beadjusted to accommodate differently sized forks, or may be axiallydisposed to modify a bias of the biasing assembly, the primary purposeof barrel nut 102, however, is to provide access to the biasing assemblycontained within biasing chamber 104. As illustrated more clearly inFIGS. 7 a-8 c, biasing chamber 104 is configured for receiving skewer 80therethrough and, as discussed infra, for receiving biasing andinterference members of the biasing assembly therein. In the embodimentillustrated, biasing chamber 104 forms a generally cylindrical chamberextending along a length of the longitudinal axis of the adapter bodyand is generally concentrically disposed about a portion of the skewerchannel. The biasing chamber includes a pair of inner abutment walls106, 108 disposed on opposite ends of the biasing chamber, and which areconfigured for abuttingly engaging biasing members of the biasingassembly. In the embodiment illustrated, inner abutment wall 106comprises a surface of barrel nut 102 and is displaceable along thelongitudinal axis of the adapter body. It should be appreciated thatwhile prong engaging wall 100 and inner abutment wall 108 of the biasingchamber are illustrated as being fixed, they may also be configured tobe axially displaceable for modifying the length of the adapter body ormodifying a bias of biasing assembly 82. Adapter body 78 furtherincludes aperture 110, which extends from an outer surface of theadapter body and to the inner surface of the biasing chamber to therebyform a window into the biasing chamber. Aperture 110 is generallyprovided for allowing assembly of the biasing assembly within thebiasing chamber.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 d-9 c, skewer 80 is generally provided forslidably receiving clevises 52, or slots, of prongs 54 of conventionalforks 50 and securing the forks to the fork mount. As illustrated moreclearly in FIGS. 7 a-9 c, skewer 80 comprises a generally cylindricalstructure which is slidably received within the skewer shaft of theadapter body and is configured for translational movement therein. Asillustrated more clearly in FIGS. 9 a-9 c, skewer 80 broadly comprisesfirst skewer end 112, shaft portion 114 and second skewer end 116. Firstskewer end 112 is generally configured for receiving and abuttinglyengaging and securing a first prong of a fork. First skewer end 112comprises fixed prong engaging member 118 having prong engaging wall120. Prong engaging wall 120 is generally perpendicularly disposed withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion, which extendstherefrom. Shaft portion 114 is generally cylindrical and is configuredfor receipt within the skewer channel of the adapter body. Shaft portion114 includes flat portion 92 and annular recess 122, or recessed track122. Flat portion 92 complementarily abuttingly engages with flatportion 90 of the skewer channel and is provided for preventingrotational movement of the skewer with respect to the adapter body whenthe skewer is disposed therein. Annular recess 122 extends about acircumference of the shaft portion and is provided for receivinginterference member 124 therein, such as the annular snap ring asillustrated. Annular recess 122 is, preferably, disposed along a lengthof the skewer such that when the skewer is disposed within skewerchannel 88 and biasing chamber 104, the annular recess and interferencemember 124 associated therewith are substantially centrally disposedbetween inner abutment walls 106, 108 of the biasing chamber. Secondskewer end 116 is generally provided for receiving adjustable prongengaging member 126 and clamping assembly 84 thereon. Second skewer end116 thus comprises receiving portion 128 and threaded portion 130.Receiving portion 128 of the skewer is generally cylindrical and has aradius that is smaller than that of shaft portion 114. As a result,abutment wall 132 is formed at the interface of shaft portion 114 andreceiving portion 128. Threaded portion 130 is generally provided forthreadably securing clamping lever 134 of the clamping assembly 84 andaxially displacing skewer 80 with respect to adapter body 78. Adjustableprong engaging member 126 includes prong engaging wall 136, which isgenerally perpendicularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axisof the skewer, and is axially adjustable with respect thereto.Adjustable prong engaging member 126 is, thus, generally provided foradjusting the width of prong receiving portions 138 between the prongengaging walls of the skewer (120, 136) and the prong engaging walls ofthe adapter body (98, 100). Adjustable prong engaging member 126, thus,comprises threaded barrel nut portion 140 and threaded bolt portion 142,which are axially adjustable with respect to one another. Threadedbarrel nut portion 140 and threaded bolt portion 142 are configured forslidably receiving skewer 80 therethrough, however, threaded barrel nutportion 140 is received about shaft portion 114 of the skewer and thethreaded bolt portion 142 is primarily received about receiving portion128 of the skewer. Disposed between threaded bolt portion 142 andannular abutment 132 about receiving portion 128 is spring 144, whichapplies a bias to laterally dispose the skewer relative to theadjustable prong engaging member 126. Laterally disposing the skewerrelative to the adjustable prong engaging member 126 increases thedistance between prong engaging surface 100 of the adapter body andprong engaging wall 136 of the adjustable prong engaging member tothereby ease loading and unloading of a fork from the fork mount.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 a-9 c, biasing assembly 82 is disposed betweenthe adapter body and the skewer and is provided for bi-directionallybiasing the skewer such that the opposite ends of the skewer are eachlaterally displaced in a direction that is away from the adapter body.Bi-directionally biasing the skewer, thus, eases loading of aconventional fork upon the fork mount because clevis receiving space 138between the prong engaging walls of the skewer and the prong engagingwalls of adapter body 78 can be maintained. As previously discussed,biasing assembly 82 is housed within biasing chamber 104 and, in theembodiment illustrated, includes a pair of identical biasing members146, 148 for biasing the skewer. Identical biasing members 146, 148comprise a pair of identical coil springs that interact with innerabutment walls 106, 108 of the biasing chamber, respectively, andinterference member 124 of the skewer. As illustrated more clearly inFIGS. 7 a-9 c, biasing assembly 82 includes a pair of identical coilsprings 146 and 148, which are each axially disposed about the skewer onopposite sides of interference member 124. In the embodimentillustrated, interference member 124 is shown as comprising a removablesnap-ring. Arranged in this manner first, inner ends 152 of each of thecoil springs abut an opposite side of the interference member andsecond, outer ends 154 each abut one of the oppositely disposed innerabutment walls of the biasing chamber. Consequently, because the skeweris capable of translational movement within the skewer channel and thebiasing chamber, and because coil springs 146 and 148 each apply anidentical oppositely directed force upon interference member 124, theskewer is urged to maintain a generally “centered” position with respectto the biasing chamber. In other words, the skewer is oppositely urgedby each biasing member until a point of equilibrium is met, which isthat point at which the interference member is centrally disposedbetween inner abutment walls 108, 110 of the biasing chamber. Thus, ifthe skewer is accidentally laterally displaced with respect to thehousing during loading of a bicycle upon the fork mount, the biasingassembly will act to urge the skewer to return to the equilibrium, orcentered, position. It should be appreciated by those having skill inthe art that while a biasing assembly has been described herein ascomprising identical coil springs axially disposed about the skewer,other assemblies for biasing the skewer with respect to the adapter bodymay be utilized, e.g., a single spring could be utilized, or non-springbiasing assemblies could be utilized. It should also be appreciated thatthe biasing assemblies need not necessarily be identical to one anothersuch that the skewer may be disposed toward one side of the adapterbody. Also, while a single annular recess for receiving an interferencemember has been described, a skewer may be provided with multiplerecesses for adjusting the position of the interference member such thatthe equilibrium position of the skewer with respect to the adapter bodymay be modified. It should also be appreciated that the interferencemember need not comprise a removable annular ring disposed about acircumference of the skewer, but may comprise other structures capableof engaging the springs.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 a-9 c, clamping assembly 84 is generallyprovided for axially disposing skewer 80 with respect to adapter body 78such that the prongs of a conventional fork may be clamped between theprong engaging walls of the skewer 120, 136 and the prong engaging walls98, 100 of the adapter body, or alternatively, released therefrom.Clamping assembly 84 broadly comprises clamping lever 134, which has acam portion 156 and lever portion 159. Cam portion 156 is generallyarcuate in shape and includes arcuate surface 158 for axially displacingthe skewer relative to the adapter body, and flat surfaces 160 and 162,for maintaining the skewer in generally engaged or disengaged positions,164, and 166, respectively. The arcuate and flat surfaces of the camportion 156 are configured for abutting cam follower surface 168 ofadjustable prong engaging member 126 such that the skewer may bedisplaced relative thereto. The cam portion of the clamping assemblyfurther includes pivot pin 170, which pivotally mounts the clampingassembly to threaded end 130 of the skewer. Pivot pin 170 is received ina bore of cam portion 156 and is oriented perpendicularly with respectto the longitudinal axis of the skewer. Pivot pin 170 includes firstthreaded bore 172 for receiving the threaded end of the skewer thereinand second threaded bore 174, which is disposed along the longitudinalaxis of the pivot pin for receiving set screw 176 therein. Set screw 176is provided for abutting flat portion 178 of the threaded end of theskewer so such that rotation of the skewer may be prevented. Asillustrated in FIGS. 6 a-8 c, pivot pin 170 is offset with respect to acenter axis of the arcuate surface 158 such that the clamping assemblymay be displaced between engaging 164 and disengaging 166 positions whenthe clamping lever portion 159 of the clamping assembly is actuated.More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 a, 7 a and 8 a, when theclamping assembly is actuated to assume the engaged, fork securingposition, the pivot pin is disposed away from the adapter body. On thecontrary, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 b, 7 b and 8 c, when the leverportion is moved to assume the disengaged, fork releasing position, thepivot pin is disposed toward the adapter body. Lever portion 159includes locking mechanism 180, which locks the lever to the housingwhen the fully engaged position is assumed.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 a-4 c, to utilize fork mount 22 and adapter 66to secure a bicycle having through-axle fork 48, a user need firstinsert through-axle fork adapter 66 through hollow 62 until lockingabutment 76 mates with recess 74. A pin member (not shown) of either therecess or the locking abutment may then be utilized to secure thethrough-axle fork adapter within hollow 62. Thereafter, after havingalready removed the front wheel from through-axle fork 48, thethrough-axle fork may then be set upon the ends of the adapter 66extending from the lateral sides of housing 56. The prongs of thethrough-axle fork may then be rotationally and laterally secured uponthe ends of adapter 66 by clamping the prongs utilizing the clampingmembers provided on the through-axle fork. Removal of the through-axlefork from the fork mount may be accomplished by reversing the steps setforth above.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 d and 4 e, where a bicyclecomprising conventional forks 50 is to be secured utilizing the forkmount of the present invention, a user need first insert conventionalfork adapter 68 within hollow 62 until locking abutment 76 mates withrecess 74. Similar to adapter 66, a pin member (not shown) of either therecess or the locking abutment may then be utilized to secure theconventional fork adapter within the hollow 62. Thereafter, after havingalready removed the front wheel from the conventional fork and assuringthat the conventional fork adapter is in a disengaged position, theclevises of the conventional fork may then be slid upon the skewer inthe spaces between prong engaging walls 98, 120 and prong engaging walls100, 138. As previously noted, the skewer of conventional fork adapter68 does not require “centering” with respect to the adapter body priorto loading; the bias applied by the biasing assembly causes the ends ofthe skewer to be oppositely displaced in a direction that is away fromthe adapter body such that an ends-extended configuration of the skeweris automatically assumed. After sliding the forks upon the skewer,adjustable prong engaging member 126 may be axially adjusted, if needed,and clamping lever 134 actuated toward the engaged position. Movement ofthe clamping lever toward the engaged position displaces skewer 80 suchthat the distance between prong engaging walls 98, 120 and prongengaging walls 100, 138, respectively, is closed and the prongs securedtherebetween. After the clamping lever is moved to the fully engagedposition, it may be locked in place by securing lever portion 159 tohousing 56 by means of locking assembly 180, or other means. Removal ofthe conventional fork from the fork mount may be accomplished byreversing the steps set forth above.

Thus, is seen that the present invention provides a quick release forkmount assembly that is easy to use and which is capable of stablysecuring a number of different fork types upon a load carrier. It shouldbe appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that while thepresent invention has been illustrated and described in what is deemedto be the preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications maybe made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the presentinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle fork mount configured to receive andsecure a front an axle hub assembly of a through-axle type front bicyclewheel, but which is temporarily adapted to receive a fork of a skewertype front bicycle wheel, said adapted bicycle fork mount comprising: afork mount body having a hollow configured to insertably receive a frontaxle hub assembly of a through-axle front bicycle wheel; an adapterreceived in said hollow and having a fork receiving skewer associatedtherewith configured for translational movement relative to saidadapter; and a biasing assembly disposed between said adapter and saidskewer that urges said skewer toward an ends-extended configuration inwhich a pair of fork receiving ends of said skewer are oppositelydisposed beyond lateral sides of the fork mount body for receiving andreleasably securing the fork of a bicycle having a skewer type frontwheel to the bicycle fork mount, wherein said hollow is shaped and sizedto substantially encircle both said front axle hub assembly and saidadapter when either is received in said hollow to provide a substantialconformance fit therewith, said biasing assembly abuttingly engages saidadapter and said skewer, and a portion of said biasing assembly thatabuts said adapter is fixed relative to said fork mount body while aportion of said biasing assembly that abuts said skewer translatesrelative to said fork mount body during return to the ends-extendedconfiguration of said skewer after being displaced therefrom.
 2. Thebicycle fork mount as recited in claim 1, wherein said adapter furthercomprises an exterior surface having a predominantly cylindrical shape,which is configured for a conformance fit within said hollow of saidfork mount body.
 3. The bicycle fork mount as recited in claim 1,wherein said biasing assembly is a bi-directional spring mechanismcapable of urging translational movement of said skewer in either of twodirections relative to said adapter.
 4. The bicycle fork mount asrecited in claim 1, wherein said adapter further comprises an interiortrap-space within which said biasing assembly is housed.
 5. The bicyclefork mount as recited in claim 4, wherein said biasing assemblyabuttingly engages an interior surface of said trap-space and anexterior surface of said skewer.
 6. The bicycle fork mount as recited inclaim 1, wherein said biasing assembly comprises a coil spring incontact with said adapter and said skewer.
 7. The bicycle fork mount asrecited in claim 1, wherein said biasing assembly comprises a pair ofsprings, each in contact with said adapter and said skewer.
 8. Thebicycle fork mount as recited in claim 7, wherein each of said pair ofsprings is a coil spring.
 9. The bicycle fork mount as recited in claim1, wherein said biasing assembly comprises at least two springs, each incontact with said adapter and said skewer.
 10. The bicycle fork mount asrecited in claim 9, wherein each of said at least two springs is a coilspring.
 11. The bicycle fork mount as recited in claim 1, wherein saidskewer is provided with an exterior projection against which saidbiasing assembly abuts.
 12. The bicycle fork mount as recited in claim11, wherein said projection off of said skewer forms a flange surfaceagainst which said biasing assembly abuts.
 13. The bicycle fork mount asrecited in claim 12, wherein said flange surface projects substantiallyradially about a longitudinal axis of said skewer.
 14. The bicycle forkmount as recited in claim 13, wherein said substantially radiallyoriented flange surface is formed by a snap-ring seated in a trackprovided on said skewer.
 15. The bicycle fork mount as recited in claim1, wherein said hollow is a substantially cylindrically shaped channelextending through said fork mount body and between lateral sidesthereof.
 16. The bicycle fork mount as recited in claim 8, wherein eachone of said pair of fork receiving ends comprises a prong engaging wall,said biasing assembly oppositely displacing each said prong engagingwall away from said adapter.
 17. The bicycle fork mount as recited inclaim 16, further comprising a clamping assembly, the clamping assemblycoupled to the skewer and configured to axially displace the skewerbetween fork securing and fork releasing positions.
 18. The bicycle forkmount as recited in claim 17, wherein at least one of the prong engagingwalls is displaced toward the other when the clamping assembly is movedfrom the fork releasing position to the fork securing position.
 19. Thebicycle fork mount as recited in claim 1, wherein the hollow extendsbetween lateral sides of the fork mount body and forms an aperture oneach of said lateral sides thereby providing an opening to said hollow.20. The bicycle fork as recited in claim 19, wherein said hollow issized and shaped to permit removal of said adapter from said hollowthrough either of said apertures.
 21. The bicycle fork as recited inclaim 19, where said adapter is sized and shaped for removal from saidhollow through either of said apertures.
 22. The bicycle fork mount asrecited in claim 1, wherein the hollow is a substantially cylindricalchannel that extends between lateral sides of the fork mount body.
 23. Afork mount for releasably securing a through-axle fork, oralternatively, a conventional fork, said fork mount comprising: a forkmount body having a void for receiving an axle hub member of saidthrough-axle fork, an adapter receivable in said void and having askewer associated therewith, said skewer having first and second prongengaging surfaces on opposite ends thereof, said skewer configured fortranslational movement with respect to said adapter; and a biasingassembly disposed between said adapter and said skewer, said biasingassembly urging said skewer such that said first and second prongengaging surfaces are oppositely displaced away from said adapter, saidskewer configured for slidably receiving and releasably securing slottedprongs of said conventional fork, wherein said void is shaped and sizedto substantially encircle both the axle hub member and said adapterhaving a skewer when either is received in said hollow to provide asubstantial conformance fit therewith, said biasing assembly abuttinglyengages said adapter and said skewer, and a portion of said biasingassembly that abuts said adapter is fixed relative to said fork mountbody while a portion of said biasing assembly that abuts said skewertranslates relative to said fork mount body during return to theends-extended configuration of said skewer after being displacedtherefrom.
 24. A bicycle fork mount configured to receive and secure athrough-axle fork, but which is temporarily adapted to receive aconventional fork, said adapted bicycle fork mount comprising: a forkmount body having a hollow configured to insertably receive a front axlehub assembly of a through-axle fork; an adapter received in said hollowand having a fork receiving skewer associated therewith and which isconfigured for translational movement relative to said adapter; and abiasing assembly disposed between said adapter and said skewer thaturges said skewer toward an ends-extended configuration in which a pairof fork receiving ends of said skewer are oppositely disposed beyondlateral sides of the fork mount body for receiving and releasablysecuring slotted prongs of a conventional fork to the bicycle forkmount, wherein said hollow is shaped and sized to substantially encircleboth the axle hub member and said adapter having a skewer when either isreceived in said hollow to provide a substantial conformance fittherewith, said biasing assembly abuttingly engages said adapter andsaid skewer, said skewer is provided with an exterior projection againstwhich said biasing assembly abuts, said projection off of said skewerforms a flange surface against which said biasing assembly abuts, saidflange surface projects substantially radially about a longitudinal axisof said skewer, and said substantially radially oriented flange surfaceis formed by a snap-ring seated in a track provided on said skewer.